Frederick Douglass + Abolition on Boston Freedom Trail

Frederick Douglass birthday today. Black leader, abolitionist, orator; “The most photographed man in America” at that time. He lived in New Bedford, Nantucket, Lynn and Springfield, MA. Important connections to Boston. Born a slave, not knowing his actual birth date, he is honored today. The fight to end slavery and extend equal rights to African-Americans is part of the Freedom Trail story.

Park Street Church winter photo

Park Street church, Boston, MA  winter snow, freeedom trailPark Street Church, winter sunset. Home to the great abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison. “My Country ’tis of thee” was sung here for the first time in 1831.

Fugitive Slave law

Fugitive Slave Act, 1850

Fugitive Slave Act, 1850

Fugitive Slave Law, Sept 19, 1850. Protests galvanize Boston abolitionists. 54th Regiment marches to Civil War duty a dozen years later.